EIT says older high rise buildings in Bangkok should be checked after tremors

BANGKOK, 7 May 2014 – High-rise buildings in Bangkok that were constructed before 2007 should be inspected, after Monday’s earthquake in Chiang Rai sent tremors that were felt in Bangkok, said the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT).

EIT president Suchatchawi Suwansawat explained that because the epicenter of Monday’s earthquake in Chiang Rai was only 7 kilometers deep, the earthquake was practically the most severe that has ever occurred in Thailand.

He called on state agencies and people in Phayao, Chiang Rai and Lampang – provinces located along the fault line responsible for the recent quake – to closely monitor the situation until the end of Wednesday. With thunderstorms being rampant during this period, he also urged for structures situated on the hills to be checked and vigilance be exercised against landslides, in areas within a 50 kilometer radius of the epicenter in Phan district.

Regarding high-rise buildings in Bangkok, Mr. Suchatchawi said there were no worries over the buildings constructed after 2007, as they were designed to withstand magnitude 7 earthquakes. However, earlier buildings that had 7 to 10 stories should have their structures inspected.